Animal Caretakers pay range in Battle Creek
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $25,960 a year or less, while the top 10% make $46,890 or more. The middle half of animal caretakers in Battle Creek earn between $27,260 and $36,810.
- $26K10th
- $27K25th
- $32KMedian
- $37K75th
- $47K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $35,740 | $2,978 | $17.18 |
| Median | $31,940 | $2,662 | $15.36 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $27,260 | $2,272 | $13.11 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $36,810 | $3,068 | $17.70 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Animal Caretakers pay in Battle Creek vs. Michigan and the U.S.
Animal caretakers in Battle Creek earn 6% more than the Michigan average ($33,850) and 4% less than the U.S. average ($37,300). At the median the gap is -10% against the U.S. median of $35,360.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battle Creek | $35,740 | $31,940 | $25,960 | $46,890 | 80 |
| Michigan | $33,850 | $30,320 | $27,770 | $45,480 | 6,290 |
| United States | $37,300 | $35,360 | $27,250 | $50,060 | 266,910 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Animal Caretakers salary after taxes in Battle Creek
On the average salary of $35,740, a single filer in Battle Creek takes home about $29,325 a year, or $2,444 a month and $1,128 every two weeks. Taxes take 18% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). Includes Battle Creek's local income tax (1%).
Is Battle Creek a good place for animal caretakers? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Battle Creek area are 9% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 90.5), so the average $35,740 buys what about $39,474 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.7 times the median wage of all jobs in Battle Creek ($48,690). A typical home costs $189,677, or 5.3 years of this average salary before tax.
Animal Caretakers salary in other Michigan cities
Battle Creek ranks 1st of 15 Michigan metro areas for this job, the best-paid in the state.
- Battle Creek$35,740
- Detroit$34,770
- Traverse City$34,610
- Ann Arbor$34,130
- Lansing$34,120
- Grand Rapids$33,750
- Flint$33,120
- Kalamazoo$33,040
- Saginaw$32,740
- Jackson$32,510
Highest-paying cities for animal caretakers
San Jose, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($47,930).
- San Jose, CA$47,930
- Seattle, WA$47,810
- San Francisco, CA$46,960
- Phoenix, AZ$46,050
- Barnstable, MA$45,910
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Animal Caretakers salary in Battle Creek: questions
How much do animal caretakers make an hour in Battle Creek?
$17.18 an hour on average, and $15.36 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level animal caretakers salary in Battle Creek?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $25,960 a year and the 25th percentile is $27,260, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the animal caretakers take-home pay in Battle Creek?
About $29,325 a year ($2,444 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $35,740. Includes Battle Creek's local income tax (1%).
Do animal caretakers earn more in Battle Creek than elsewhere?
The average here is 4% less than the U.S. average for this job ($37,300).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 39-2021; area Battle Creek, MI (12980). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 1.6%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). Includes Battle Creek's local income tax (1%).
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.82, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.
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